DIPR
Imphal, Jan 31: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has said that a Fast Track Court to deal with drug related cases will be set up in the State within the month of March this year.
He made the announcement while speaking at the opening ceremony of a Legal Services Camp organised by Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLA) in collaboration with the Government of Manipur at Manipur Trade and Expo Centre, Lamboikhongnangkhong in Imphal West District today.
Observing that the menace of drug abuse and trafficking has emerged as a great threat to the State, the Chief Minister informed that he had discussed the matter of establishing a Fast Track Court with different luminaries including Law and Legislative Affairs Minister, Chief Justice of High Court of Manipur and Advocate General of the State to tackle the problem.
The Chief Minister urged all the three pillars of the Government – Judiciary, Executive and Legislature – to work in coordination and jointly tackle any problem. He also said that any misunderstanding among these three vital pillars of democracy can be resolved through proper communication.
Admitting that more than 50 per cent of the masses still have no knowledge about various Government welfare schemes, the Chief Minister said that it is appreciable to take the responsibility of sensitising people in this regard by Judicial bodies under the supervision of those who are in the top levels of the Judiciary.
Stating that full co-operation would be given by the Government to the initiative of the Judiciary, the Chief Minister said that lack of awareness among the masses is one of the most important factors of leaving a room for undeserved people to claim the benefits under different Government schemes.
The Chief Minister also mentioned about organising such camps in the interior parts of the State and hill districts.
Law and Legislative Affairs Minister L. Jayantakumar Singh, Acting Chief Justice of High Court of Manipur, Justice N. Kotiswar Singh and Judge of High Court of Manipur, Justice Kh. Nobin Singh were also present at the function as dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, L. Jayantakumar said that every citizen should understand the law of the land and their entitlements and rights. As such, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) conceived the idea of organising such legal camps across the country in order to sensitise the masses.
In addition to 18 stalls of different Government Departments, HIV and Hepatitis testing counters were also opened at the camp for the convenience of the visitors.
Among the Government Departments, Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS), Directorate of Health Services, Chief Minister-gi Hakshel-gi Tengbang (CMHT), IT Department, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAF & PD), Education-S (Right to Education), Transport Department, Traffic Control Wing, ChildLine, Imphal, Labour Department, Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board, Fire and Emergency Services opened their stalls at the camp.
One Media stall and four stalls of Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLA) were also opened. All the 18 stalls were inaugurated by the dignitaries led by the Chief Minister after the opening function.
The objective of the camp organised under the guidelines of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was to impart awareness about the legal needs of the people and address their legal problems and spread awareness about welfare legislations and schemes.
